Waterfall Spa, the North's only women-only retreat, offers serious pampering in a stylish setting. Women's Editor SARAH FOSTER took her mum.

NOTHING beats a spa day for pure decadence, so it was with eager anticipation that I made the journey to Waterfall Spa, an easy trip down the A1 to central Leeds. Also mindful of Mothers' Day, and keen to win Brownie points, I took my mum. We arrived at Brewery Wharf, amid towering apartment blocks, a little later than expected due to problems with my sat nav. If I hadn't needed it before, by the time I pulled the car into the underground garage, I was certainly in the market for some de-stressing.

Waterfall Spa opened its doors in December and offers premium pampering in a handy city centre location. What makes it different from its rivals is that it's strictly for women - all the staff are female, too. Given that part of your time is spent in a swimsuit, this seems to make sense, and as you walk through the door, there's a pleasant feeling of 'all girls together'. As the day wears on, the conversation flows - if there's one thing we women have in common, it's our readiness to chat. With no men to spoil the fun, I begin to think I could get used to this environment.

Built at a cost of £1.1m, the spa is owned by Bishop Auckland-based company Ebac. Its designer, Roberta Fulford, tried to marry style with practicality, with the main brief of creating a modern, streamlined look. The place is certainly attractive - all vibrant colours and flowing shapes, with a predominant theme of chocolate brown.

Our first port of call is the pristine changing room, where each locker contains slippers, a fluffy robe, a thick towel and even a bag to put your things in. Once out of our everyday clothes, we're taken on a tour of building - and then the pampering can really start.

My first treatment is a hot stones massage, which I've never had before. I'm taken off by a friendly therapist, who in the comfort of a dimly-lit room, explains the procedure. She has me lie down on the bed and soon she's laying the hot stones on me, gingerly at first, then kneading them into my body. It feels delightful, and I soon get used to the heat. The relaxing music - you get to choose from a wide selection - helps me get lost in sensory pleasure.

After more than an hour of this, it's time for lunch, although I'm so relaxed I can barely peel myself off the bed. The food is therapy in itself, with a three-course lunch including chicken wrapped in Parma ham and poached pears with ice cream. Feeling full and a bit light-headed from glasses of champagne - a little extra indulgence - mum and I are ready for our next treatment.

We're led into an ultra-girly zone where we sit side by side as our two therapists get to work. My pedicure starts with having my feet soaked in warm, delicious-smelling water, while mum, who's having a manicure, is asked what shape she'd like her nails. We both get to choose from a huge array of polishes and sit back and relax as our hands and feet receive unprecedented TLC.

As our nails are drying, we chill out in the relaxation room, where you can duck behind the beaded curtain of one of the pods and lie down on a cosy bed. There's only just time for a quick dip in the bubbling pool and a blast of heat in the sauna before, feeling thoroughly refreshed, we leave for home. Despite having been there for several hours, our time at the spa has really flown, and I'm left thinking of an excuse for my return. Perhaps it's time they invented Daughters' Day.

* Waterfall Spa, 3 Brewery Wharf, Dock Street, Leeds, 0800 7311995 www.waterfallspa.co.uk

* To coincide with Mothers' Day, the spa is offering a day pass including three-course lunch for £80 (normal price £103) or a day pass including lunch and a 30 minute treatment for £105 (normal price £138).